Shaving or waxing can get the job done, but if you’re looking for a gentler alternative, consider using one of the best hair removal creams. These work by dissolving unwanted hair on the body and face—minus the telltale stinging or burning you may remember from old-school versions. Our top pick, Flamingo’s Body Hair Removal Cream, gives silky-smooth results in about 10 minutes (without irritation thanks to soothing ingredients like shea butter).
According to Dr. Ross Kopelman, a hair restoration surgeon in New York, hair removal creams are a convenient option for temporary hair removal. The key is to look for ingredients that are suitable for your skin type and hair texture to minimize the potential for irritation, he says. Ahead, we polled industry experts and staffers to compile this list of the best hair removal creams for various hair types and sensitivity levels.
Best Hair Removal Cream Overall: Flamingo Body Hair Removal Cream
Best Budget Hair Removal Cream: Nair Shower Cream Hair Remover
Best Hair Removal Cream For The Bikini Line: Veet Sensitive Hair Removal Cream
Best Hair Removal Cream For Sensitive Skin: Nair Sensitive Shower Cream
Best Hair Removal Cream For Coarse Hair: Wakse Meltoway Fairy Floss
Best Facial Hair Removal Cream: Flamingo Facial Hair Removal Cream
Best Hair Removal Spray: Completely Bare Easy Off
Best Hair Removal Cream Overall
A Quick, Easy And Soothing Top Pick
Flamingo Body Hair Removal Cream
Key ingredients: Potassium thioglycolate, urea, bisabolo, shea butter | Target areas: Legs, arms, stomach, underarms, bikini line
This versatile cream removes body hair from just about anywhere below the neck (like the legs, arms, bikini line, stomach and underarms) and is safe for sensitive skin. Its hero ingredients include skin-softening shea butter, bisabolol and urea. The included spatula is also useful for sanitary application and makes it easy to remove the product after the recommended five to 10 minutes.
While many hair removal creams can have a distinct odor, Flamingo’s one is lightly scented with iris and suede. Reviewers say it’s as effective as competitors but far more gentle.
Best Budget Hair Removal Cream
Mess-Free Removal In The Shower
Nair Shower Cream Hair Remover
Key ingredients: Potassium thioglycolate, urea, argan oil, orange flower extract | Target areas: Arms, underarms, legs, bikini area
Here’s a drugstore buy that’s designed for easy hair removal as you shower. Apply it to areas where you want to remove hair a minute or two before stepping under the water, then use a washcloth to remove everything after three to 10 minutes. Those with coarser hair types will generally need more time for the cream to dissolve follicles.
The formula includes argan oil and orange blossom to pamper and soften skin, with reviewers saying it’s quick and easy to use. Plus, it’s dermatologist-tested and free of potentially irritating dyes, parabens, phthalates and sulfates.
Best Hair Removal Cream For The Bikini Line
Designed For Coarse Hair In Delicate Areas
Veet Sensitive Hair Removal Cream
Key ingredients: Potassium thioglycolate, urea, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, tocopheryl acetate | Target areas: Bikini line, legs, arms, underarms
This aloe vera gel cream removes short, stubborn hair in the more sensitive areas, like the bikini line and underarms. It includes a pump top and double-sided spatula to streamline application and removal, and has a formula that works in as little as five minutes. It’s exceptionally well-rated, with tens of thousands of customers saying it eliminates hair from the body sans irritation. Some say they detect a faint chemical aroma during use, but the formula comes lightly fragranced with a violet blossom scent to help mask the smell.
Best Hair Removal Cream For Sensitive Skin
A Scented Pick For Painless Removal
MOST POPULAR
Nair Sensitive Shower Cream
Key ingredients: Potassium thioglycolate, coconut oil, tocopherol | Target areas: Arms, legs, underarms, bikini area
Nair’s Shower Cream has the same convenient in-shower application as our budget pick, except this version comes infused with coconut oil and vitamin E to soothe sensitive and reactive skin. Like the original, it’s dermatologist-tested and free of dyes, sulfates, parabens and phthalates. Many reviewers appreciate its subtle coconut scent and creamy texture that evenly covers target areas and painlessly removes hair without redness or discomfort.
Best Hair Removal Cream For Coarse Hair
A Gentle, But Effective Solution For All Hair Types
Key ingredients: Potassium thioglycolate, calcium hydroxide, urea, glycerin, kaolin, matricaria flower extract | Target areas: Legs, arms, underarms, bikini area, face
This hair removal cream is effective on all hair types, even coarse hair, since it has two chemical ingredients to dissolve your follicles. The trick is how long you let the creamy formula sit on the skin, and the brand suggests leaving the cream on for up to 10 minutes if you have thicker hair. It contains botanical extracts like sunflower seed oil and calendula that hydrate and soothe, which reviewers say helps to prevent irritation. It also comes in three delicious scents: Fairy Floss, Guava Butter and Mango Magic.
Best Facial Hair Removal Cream
Softens And Smooths As It Removes Peach Fuzz
Flamingo Facial Hair Removal Cream
Key ingredients: Potassium thioglycolate, urea, bisabolol, shea butter | Target areas: Upper lip, chin, sideburns
This pick made our list of the best facial hair removers thanks to its angled tip that makes it easy to apply the product precisely where you want it. The gentle formula removes hair on the upper lip, chin and sideburns in five to 10 minutes, with results lasting for up to seven days. Reviewers say it works well even on very sensitive skin and appreciate the inclusion of a post-treatment serum to calm irritation.
Best Hair Removal Spray
A Foaming Formula With Shea Butter And Aloe Vera
Completely Bare Easy Off
Key ingredients: Sodium hydroxide, tocopherol, volcanic ash, bisabolol, shea butter, cocoa butter, sea kelp extract, aloe vera | Target areas: Arms, legs
If you like the idea of a spray applicator for hands-free application, this hair removal foam for the arms and legs is exceptionally easy to use. Two active ingredients work to break down hair so it can be easily wiped away. The vegan, cruelty-free spray also includes exfoliating volcanic ash, hydrating shea and cocoa butters plus soothing aloe vera.
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted beauty editors have extensive experience testing, researching and reviewing the best products on the market. We’ve published scores of expert-backed roundups on shaving products, including the best facial hair removers, best at-home laser hair removal devices and more.
- The author of this piece, Jessica Timmons, is a regular contributor with more than a decade of experience covering heath, beauty and wellness topics.
- This story was assigned and reviewed by deputy editor Jane Sung, who leads the beauty and grooming category and has 15-plus years of experience in lifestyle journalism. She carefully vetted all of the products in this story.
- Timmons also gathered key insight and guidance from three industry experts: Dr. Ross Kopelman, a hair restoration surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration; Dr. Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist; and Dr. Jody Levine, director of dermatology at Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC.
How We Chose The Best Hair Removal Creams
To find the best hair removal creams, we researched dozens of bestselling options, compared features and asked industry experts—along with our team of experienced staffers—for insights.
- We analyzed features including type (cream, gel or spray), ingredients, target areas, duration of results and ease of use to assess the overall value and help readers pinpoint the best option for their needs. Our final list includes products suited for different sensitivity levels and hair textures.
- Our three experts made recommendations based on their experiences, and we also examined customer reviews for standout product traits.
- As everyone’s budget looks slightly different, we included a wide range of prices.
What To Consider In A Hair Removal Cream
There are plenty of hair removal creams on the market, but the best one for you depends on your skin and hair type. Here’s what to keep in mind when you’re shopping.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in most hair removal creams is hydroxide or potassium thioglycolic which breaks down keratin, i.e. the hair follicle’s protein structure. “This allows the hair to essentially be deconstructed to the point that it can be wiped and washed off,” says Levine. Like shaving, this hair removal method doesn’t work at the root.
Beyond the active topicals, many formulas include ingredients designed to calm and hydrate. “You can often find soothing and nourishing ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter and vitamin E, which can leave skin softer post-application,” says Chacon.
Duration Of Results
Since hair removal creams don’t remove hair at the root, they’re considered a temporary solution. Hair regrowth rates vary, so you may notice stubble growing anywhere from two to five days after removal. The results last a little longer than shaving but shorter than waxing or plucking (both of which remove the root of the hair).
Hair Type
Skin sensitivity and hair textures vary on different body parts, so make sure the product you’re using is appropriate for where you’re using it. “Creams formulated for the face, for instance, are generally milder than those designed for the legs or arms,” says Kopelman. Since facial skin is more delicate and prone to irritation, those formulas often contain additional soothing ingredients and lower active chemical concentrations. “Conversely, creams for coarser hair, often found on the legs, are stronger to dissolve the thicker hair shafts effectively,” he says.
Usage
Our experts recommend completing a patch test before widespread use to gauge your skin’s reaction. “Never leave the cream on longer than recommended, as this can cause skin burns and irritation,” says Kopelman.
